The novelty print swing dress

A few weeks ago I attended the 'Retro Revival' event in Bournemouth and this is what I decided to wear...

I have to apologise for the quality of these photos, it is so much easier to take photos during the daytime on my phone (another reason why this blog is mostly dedicated to daytime outfits!)  However, this dress was just too amazing not to be featured here.  I first wore it at Rhythm Riot and I had tried to take photos there but they also suffered because of the night time quality of my phone photos.

This dress just fits like a dream!  I bought it from the Clerkenwell Fair (from the amazing stock of Tamara Watts) and knew I had to have it.  It has a rather awkward centre back zipper that does not go up all the way to the top but I can get over that.  It is so perfect for dancing because it has such a full swingy skirt.  ALSO, my guy happened to point out at Rhythm Riot that it is actually a novelty print and I hadn't even realised!  I thought it just had some sort of interesting floral swirly print but there are actually cherubs hidden within that! 

 

 

Dress: Vintage from the Clerkenwell Fair

Shoes: Johnson's

Bracelet: Vintage from Rhythm Riot

Earrings: Vintage from Etsy



Saddle Shoes

I have wanted a pair of saddle shoes for so long!  At first I tried to seek out a vintage pair but couldn't find any in my size and I was quite reluctant to buy vintage shoes online without being able to try them on first.  So I looked to the reproduction brands out there and when I saw the Rocket Originals saddle shoes, I thought they would be the ones for me.  When I tried on a pair early last year, I was a bit disappointed because they looked too chunky for my small feet.  So I gave up hope in finding a pair until I saw that Morellos sold saddle shoes... and I got the chance to try them on at Rhythm Riot (which was a good thing too as the size 3 I would have purchased online would have been too small!)  They didn't have my size in the colour I wanted at the Riot so I waited until after Christmas when I finally purchased my first pair of saddle shoes...

 

 

I have always been fascinated by the 1950s 'teenager' subculture and the saddle shoe is the epitome of style of that generation. 

The wool skirt is from Fab Gabs Vintage on Etsy and has woven hash symbols throughout in white and yellow (which match perfectly with my yellow Lucite confetti earrings!)  I love most of the items in this Etsy store but most are not in my size (this might just be a good thing!)  But this skirt was my size and I knew it had to be mine.  It has a lovely swing style and I can't wait to go dancing in this outfit.

 

 

 

Saddle Shoes: Reproduction from Morellos

Skirt: Vintage from Fab Gabs on Etsy

Sweater: Gift

Brooch: Vintage from Clerkenwell Fair

Lucite confetti earrings: Vintage from Etsy

Belt: Vintage from Etsy

Bracelet: Vintage from Rhythm Riot

Festive plaid

As I mentioned in a previous post, I want to buy more vintage separates and I have succeeded in buying quite a few vintage skirts in the last couple of months but as a consequence, I have not bought any dresses!  So this is another skirt post...

I did wear this over the Christmas period and it really is the perfect skirt featuring the best seasonal colours.  I also paired it with a Rocket Originals sweater that was a Christmas gift from my guy.  This sweater fits so nicely! 

 

 

You can also see my Luxulite set - I purchased the necklace first and then asked if I could have a matching bracelet made for me, which she did!  I love so much of the jewellery on her site, go check it out if you haven't already (I am currently coveting the 1950s style tiki necklace!)


Skirt: Vintage from Etsy
Sweater: Reproduction from Rocket Originals
Bag: Vintage from Etsy
Shoes: Marks and Spencer
Necklace and bracelet: Luxulite